Why Your Prompts Fail (And The Technique That Changes Everything) 💡

Happy Sunday!

Ever notice how some people seem to extract magical results from AI while you're getting... just okay answers?

Most people use AI like a search engine: “Give me 3 productivity tips." “What's the best way to start a podcast?"

But there's a secret method the top 1% are using.

They don't just ask questions. They transform AI into their personal expert. And the results aren't just better—they're in a different league entirely.

🎭 The Role-Playing Method (Save This)

Welcome to the third edition of our Productivity OS series. We've already covered how to create your personal 24/7 tutor and how to use The Idea Stress Test to uncover blind spots in your thinking.

Today, we're taking an even bigger leap: moving beyond specialized prompt templates to true prompt fluency—the skill that lets you craft powerful, custom prompts for any situation you encounter.

Here's the insight that transformed my entire approach: prompt engineering isn't technical wizardry 🧙. It's about setting the right context and expectations—like directing an actor in a film.

Think about it—you wouldn't ask a tennis coach about fixing your car. So why ask AI generic questions when what you need is specialized expertise?

Instead, give it an identity. Tell it who to become, not just what to do.

🧪 Real-World Applications That Prove It Works

I've been quietly testing this approach across different domains. The results have been surprising (in the best way):

✍️ For Writing That Stands Out

“Act as an award-winning copywriter who specializes in authentic storytelling. Rewrite this LinkedIn post to feel more engaging while maintaining my professional voice."

The difference? Before: decent but formulaic and robotic sounding content. Now: writing that sounds authentically like me—but the best version of me.

🧠 For Productivity Systems That Actually Stick

“You're my high-performance project manager with expertise in creative workflows. Build me a morning routine that aligns with my energy patterns and priorities."

Instead of generic productivity advice that feels impossible to implement, you'll get customized systems built for your actual life and work style.

💼 For Career Breakthroughs

“Act as a hiring manager at Google who specializes in identifying high-potential candidates. Review my résumé and identify both strengths and improvement areas."

This approach reveals insights no generic feedback tool can match—you'll understand how your materials are actually perceived by the people who matter.

📊 For Decision-Making Clarity

“Act as a strategic business advisor with experience in digital transformation. Help me evaluate these three options for scaling our customer service team."

Watch as the AI shifts from generic pros and cons to nuanced analysis that feels like advice from a trusted mentor who's been exactly where you are.

🔧 The Universal Template That Works Every Time

Here's the fundamental pattern that works across nearly every scenario:

Act as a [specific expert identity] 
Your task is to [clear objective] 
Do it with [specific style/constraints/tone]

Let's break down why this works so well:

1. Specific expert identity: Be precise. “Marketing expert" is too broad. “Growth marketer specializing in B2B SaaS (software as a service) companies with 5-7 figure budgets" gives the AI clear parameters.
   

2. Clear objective: State exactly what you need accomplished. Include scope, format requirements, and desired outcome.
   

3. Style guidance: This is where the magic happens. Specify tone, perspective, or constraints that matter to your situation.

🪄 Taking It Further: How To Maintain The Magic

Once you've established the role, keep it consistent throughout your conversation. Follow-up questions like these compound your results:

• “How would you approach this differently if our audience was [different demographic]?"
  

• “What's commonly overlooked in this kind of situation?"
  

• “Can you refine this further based on [new information]?"

The difference between average AI users and power users isn't technical knowledge—it's simply conversational direction.

Try this approach once, and regular prompting will feel like trying to paint a masterpiece with crayons. Your AI interactions will become more purposeful, more precise, and exponentially more valuable.

💬 LET US KNOW

Tried this prompt technique? Made it work for something I didn't mention?

Hit reply and share your best result. Not just for me—the craziest uses always come from readers like you.

—Derick, Momentous Trends Team

P.S. Your group chat has that one friend who still thinks AI is just fancy autocomplete. Drop this in there with zero explanation.

Sometimes the best way to win an argument is to not have it at all.

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